A maker of the music on top of the world

. . . of Schumann's thrilling Adagio and Allegro in the video clip! I've played the piano part of that piece a number of times myself, and I loved Cooper's straight-ahead approach to the Allegro. Unfortunately, I've mostly been playing it recently with cellists, who also claim the work but who just can't compete with the deep, burnished sonority of the French Horn - Schumann had such a great sense for exactly the kinds of musical figures so perfectly suited to the horn, and the music just doesn't really cut it with the cello IMHO. Add to that the fact that some performers introduce an insipid rubato to the initial (main) theme of the Allegro and it's all too easy to encounter performances which rob the music of its essential "thrilled to the sky" nature.

So, once again, congratulations to David Cooper on his new position in the BPO and his excellent performance in the video clip!

RE: A maker of the music on top of the world, posted on May 26, 2017 at 11:18:43

docw
Audiophile

Posts: 8115
Location: So. California
Joined: July 23, 2004
Contributor
Since: November 29, 2004

Thanks, good to know. You played "50" years as professional trombonist, where? If you remember in our interactions, I collect Cleveland stuff and trained in the Cleveland Clinic July 86 to June 89.

Checked your system, great amazing stuff.

RE: Sorry for wrong impression, posted on May 26, 2017 at 11:43:53

kitch29

Cleveland Clinic? Yeah, I think I might let you work on me. ;-)

As a kid I was pretty good and a little cocky until I got to Interlochen and discovered the chasm between pretty good and bound for Julliard!

So...seldom as a pro...a few pit orchestra performances for peanuts at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights, waaay before it became a Gang hangout. Once in awhile when a big band was wanted for a wedding.

Came within an eyelash of the house band for the Big Five Show, Cleveland's answer to Dick Clark back in '67 (?) but the week before we were set for the opener with Janis Joplin the station decided not to pay up for a 12 piece. Bastards!

Played in the Suburban Symphony from age 14 then off and on as college and career allowed. KSU band during a draft dodging stint there and my one claim to fame, winning an audition for the Oxford Musical Society orchestra my year of study abroad.

Never without a horn though to amuse myself and annoy the neighbors.

I like to think that those of us who play instruments without keys, valves or pistons have a leg up on others in terms of hearing and anticipating pitch, tone, and dynamics. Useful for auditioning stereo equipment.

Music Lane

A maker of the music on top of the world

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